This Memphis BBQ sauce is tangy, slightly sweet, and packed with bold, smoky flavor. Perfect for ribs, pulled pork, and more! If you love this recipe, don’t miss our Peach BBQ Sauce and Sweet & Spicy BBQ Sauce.
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Since Marrekus is from Memphis, BBQ runs in his blood! It only made sense to create our own Memphis-style BBQ sauce.
This homemade sauce hits all the right notes with the perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors, plus a smooth tomato base. We love making our own BBQ sauces because we can tailor them exactly to our taste, and they always beat the store-bought stuff. Once you try this recipe, we’re sure you’ll agree!
Give it a try, and get ready for your new favorite BBQ sauce.
Be sure to check out the rest of our Southern Barbecue recipes, which pair perfectly with this homemade BBQ sauce.
Why you'll love this recipe
- It’s got layers of flavor: Most Memphis sauces are tangy and a little sweet, but this one kicks it up with a splash of bourbon and a touch of Coca-Cola for extra depth.
- Easy to make at home: No fancy tools or ingredients needed. Just toss everything in a pot and simmer.
- Custom spice level: Thanks to the hot sauce and BBQ rub, you can make it as mild or spicy as you want.
- Versatile: It works on pulled pork, ribs, chicken, sandwiches, even bologna! One batch can do a lot.
What is Memphis Style BBQ Sauce?
Memphis BBQ sauce is a smooth, red sauce that’s tangy with a little sweetness. It’s not super thick and not super spicy. It tastes great on pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and even sandwiches. It has tomato sauce, vinegar, a bit of sugar or molasses, mustard, and spices to give it a bold flavor without being too heavy.
Ingredients
- Tomato Sauce – Forms the base of the BBQ sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds tanginess.
- Mexican Coca-Cola – Adds sweetness; regular Coke works too.
- Steak Sauce (like Heinz 57) – Adds savory flavor and a bit of spice.
- Yellow Mustard – Classic tang.
- Fresh Lemon Juice – Brightens up the flavors.
- Blackstrap Molasses – Dark, rich sweetness.
- Soy Sauce – Adds umami and saltiness.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Adds bold, savory flavor.
- Bourbon – Adds warmth and a hint of smoky sweetness.
- Hot Sauce – For a kick of heat.
- BBQ Rub – A mix of spices to enhance flavor; use your favorite blend or our Easy BBQ Rub.
How to Make Memphis BBQ Sauce
Step 1: Mix all the wet ingredients together in a pot, then stir in your favorite BBQ rub. Heat it up until it starts to boil, then turn it down and let it cook for about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Let it cool, then use it right away or save it for later. Store leftovers in a clean, airtight container or glass jar.
What to Serve
Memphis-style BBQ sauce is tangy, slightly sweet, and perfect for a variety of smoky, savory dishes. Here’s a list of what to serve with it:
- Smoked Shotgun Shells - Made with stuffed Cannelloni pasta loaded with meat, cheese, jalapeño, wrapped in crispy bacon, and drizzled in BBQ sauce.
- Pulled Pork – Eat it on its own or make pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw on top.
- Smoked Ribs – These are perfect for dipping or brushing with extra sauce.
- Pulled Chicken Sandwiches – A little lighter than pork but still full of flavor. Top with pickles or slaw!
- Pork Belly Burnt Ends – Sweet, smoky, and super tender—they soak up BBQ sauce really well.
- Party Ribs – Fun to eat and great for serving a crowd. Add sauce right before serving!
- Smoked Bologna – Slice it up and serve with sauce, or make simple bologna sandwiches with white bread.
- Rib Tips – Juicy, flavorful bites that taste even better with Memphis sauce on the side.
Tips for the Best Memphis BBQ Sauce
- Tomato sauce is the base of this BBQ sauce, so use one that tastes great on its own.
- Memphis BBQ sauce should be a mix of sweet and tangy. Taste as you go!
- A good spice rub adds flavor depth and ties everything together. Use your favorite homemade rub or a store-bought one you trust.
- Let the sauce simmer gently so the flavors can blend. Boiling too hard can make it taste bitter.
- Like it spicy? Add more hot sauce, or check out this sweet and spicy BBQ sauce recipe.
- Let the sauce cool to room temperature before putting it in the fridge.
- The sauce tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to settle.
How to Store Homemade BBQ Sauce
- Let the sauce cool completely, then pour it into a clean, airtight container or glass jar.
- Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- For longer storage, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe container or silicone ice cube trays for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before using.
Commonly Asked Questions
Memphis BBQ sauce has a tomato base and a mix of sweet, tangy, and a little spicy flavors. It’s not too thick or too thin, and it’s not super sweet like some other sauces. You’ll taste ingredients like vinegar, mustard, and a little molasses.
Memphis BBQ sauce is a little sweet and a little spicy, with a good mix of both. It has a tomato and vinegar base, plus some mustard or hot sauce for heat, and a bit of molasses to make it sweet. It’s not too strong, just enough flavor to go great with meat.
Just simmer it longer on the stove! Keep it over low heat and stir often until it thickens up. If it’s still too thin, you can mix in a little bit of tomato paste.
📖 Recipe
Memphis BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup Mexican Coca Cola or regular Coke
- 2 tablespoons Heinz 57 sauce or favorite steak sauce
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 1 ½ tablespoons blackstrap molasses
- 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon bourbon
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons BBQ rub
Instructions
- Add all wet ingredients to a medium saucepot and stir well.
- Whisk in the BBQ rub until fully mixed.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Use right away or store in the fridge for later.
Jazzy says
My husband is from Memphis and he loves making his own BBQ sauce. I’ll have to share this recipe with him! Sounds delicious!